Martin O’Brien's Avatar

Martin O’Brien

@mobrienbelfast.bsky.social

Human rights activist and former philanthropoid. Director of @SCI-Belfast.bsky.social. Views are my own.

265 Followers  |  612 Following  |  21 Posts  |  Joined: 18.11.2024  |  1.928

Latest posts by mobrienbelfast.bsky.social on Bluesky

Great to see former @sci-belfast.bsky.social intern Allison Tate being included among this prestigious group of young leaders.

27.09.2025 08:18 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Former Irish President Delivers Keynote Address at UN Conference on Israel-Palestine | AQ1G
YouTube video by DRM News Former Irish President Delivers Keynote Address at UN Conference on Israel-Palestine | AQ1G

Powerful speech from Mary Robinson on the “unconscionable” situation in Gaza. youtu.be/DIvzIEP-OUg

29.07.2025 21:52 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Irish lawyer quits European rights body over silence on Gaza Ireland's long-standing representative on a Council of Europe human rights body has resigned over its failure to speak out on Gaza. Human rights lawyer Michael Farrell has been a member of the Europea...

Irish lawyer, Michael Farrell, quits Council of Europe rights body over silence on Gaza | Irish Legal News

www.irishlegal.com/articles/iri...

16.07.2025 13:44 — 👍 36    🔁 20    💬 2    📌 0

Important job opportunity here to lead one of Ireland’s most effective change making organisations. Well worth a look.

15.07.2025 17:36 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Hanny was in Belfast for an SCI Board meeting, and we’re delighted he made time to share his insights and expertise on the current situation in Syria with some of our local network of changemakers.

18.06.2025 11:30 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Post image Post image

This morning, we welcomed guests for a briefing on the situation in Syria with Hanny Megally, member of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria and SCI Board member.

18.06.2025 11:30 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0

Important piece here. Worth a read.

18.06.2025 07:38 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Council of Europe rejects political pressure on ECHR in Meloni reply Council of Europe Secretary Alain Berset defends the independence of the European Court of Human Rights, emphasizing the importance of preserving its impartiality amid ongoing debates on migration. #E...

Council of Europe rejects political pressure from nine states on European Court of Human Rights

www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...

24.05.2025 20:39 — 👍 5    🔁 5    💬 0    📌 1

Might be worth noting that this recommendation to place an exceptional non-jury court on a permanent footing was made by four members of a six-member review group with two members dissenting. Minority report available here: oasareview.ie/wp-content/upl…

25.05.2025 11:45 — 👍 2    🔁 4    💬 0    📌 0

Powerful letter. Long past time for the government to act.

23.05.2025 19:05 — 👍 3    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0

Delighted to see this really important work by Dermot Devlin @mywayaccess.bsky.social supported by @BrianPelan from @VIEWdigital. Hope it leads to some much needed change.

15.05.2025 17:56 — 👍 3    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0

Great news. So well deserved.

09.04.2025 22:23 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
A digital graphic design promoting the Black Activist Leadership Initiative by the Social Change Initiative. The image features the SCI logo in the top centre, the centre of the image showcases a bold black raised fist symbol, a widely recognised sign of resistance and solidarity. At the bottom, a yellow banner spans the width of the image, displaying the words 'BLACK ACTIVIST LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE' in bold, uppercase, black letters.

A digital graphic design promoting the Black Activist Leadership Initiative by the Social Change Initiative. The image features the SCI logo in the top centre, the centre of the image showcases a bold black raised fist symbol, a widely recognised sign of resistance and solidarity. At the bottom, a yellow banner spans the width of the image, displaying the words 'BLACK ACTIVIST LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE' in bold, uppercase, black letters.

Communities in Northern Ireland are becoming more diverse, with residents bringing new cultures and lived experiences that go beyond the traditional. At SCI, we see this as an exciting opportunity to build new, inclusive forms of activism. (1/3)

02.04.2025 10:47 — 👍 4    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0

Important new report. Well worth a read.

29.03.2025 13:03 — 👍 3    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
Post image

Stunning sky tonight in #MalinHead. Tory Island in the distance.

16.03.2025 18:20 — 👍 7    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Post image Post image

Somebody’s enjoying a stunning day in #Donegal

08.03.2025 14:25 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
IHREC on how the state is treating migrants Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Justice; Claire Kerrane, Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon–Galway; Peadar Tóibín, Aontú leader; Liam Herrick, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Right...

Great interview from Liam Herrick Chief Commissioner of @ihrec.bsky.social on Ireland's legal obligations to asylum seekers.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

22.02.2025 14:42 — 👍 3    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
“Authoritarianism is not limited to the US but part of a global trend. Lessons from other countries can provide valuable insights for the US context.”

Cultivating solidarity and hope in a fractured world
A conversation following the US election

“Authoritarianism is not limited to the US but part of a global trend. Lessons from other countries can provide valuable insights for the US context.” Cultivating solidarity and hope in a fractured world A conversation following the US election

In December 2024, @deepaiyer.bsky.social and @bulldogshadow.bsky.social explored the impact of the US election on democracy and human rights worldwide in an online conversation hosted by SCI.

This takeaway is just one of many. Read more 👉 www.socialchangeinitiative.com/cultivating-...

17.02.2025 13:07 — 👍 3    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
Image shows pictures of all Participatory Journalism Fellows. 
TOP from left to right: Brian Pelan, Elton Sibanda, Clodagh Traynor, Harry Bateman.
BOTTOM from left to right: Tommy Greene, Martin Ward, Colm Teague, Claire Dickson.

Image shows pictures of all Participatory Journalism Fellows. TOP from left to right: Brian Pelan, Elton Sibanda, Clodagh Traynor, Harry Bateman. BOTTOM from left to right: Tommy Greene, Martin Ward, Colm Teague, Claire Dickson.

Our Participatory Journalism Fellowship supports independent storytellers who are highlighting underrepresented voices and shedding light on overlooked issues. They explore a range of social, economic, and political topics, offering diverse perspectives on key challenges.

21.02.2025 15:49 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
SCI's team sitting with the Participatory Journalism fellows sitting around a large, white conference table in a professional meeting room. Some are taking notes, while others are listening attentively. A SCI banner is visible in the background, along with a large window allowing natural light into the room. Laptops, documents, and coffee cups are scattered across the table.

SCI's team sitting with the Participatory Journalism fellows sitting around a large, white conference table in a professional meeting room. Some are taking notes, while others are listening attentively. A SCI banner is visible in the background, along with a large window allowing natural light into the room. Laptops, documents, and coffee cups are scattered across the table.

Today, we’re hosting our Participatory Journalism fellows for a day of sharing, learning, and collaboration. They will be able to present their work, exchange ideas, and support each other in shaping their stories.

21.02.2025 15:49 — 👍 4    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
Our Team | Social Change Initiative

To learn more about our journalism fellows and their projects, visit 👉 socialchangeinitiative.com/team.

@brianone.bsky.social @shaunacorr.bsky.social @mobrienbelfast.bsky.social

21.02.2025 15:49 — 👍 3    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
Photo by NICVA - Dr. Nazia Latif speaking from a podium at the conference.

Photo by NICVA - Dr. Nazia Latif speaking from a podium at the conference.

Image shows the event invitation. 

'You are invited to Building Solidarity: Understanding the Political and Societal Context of Racist Violence in Northern Ireland'

Image shows the event invitation. 'You are invited to Building Solidarity: Understanding the Political and Societal Context of Racist Violence in Northern Ireland'

Delighted to be supporting this important Community Foundation NI conference on Building Solidarity & Tackling Racism with NICVA & Africa House.

30.01.2025 13:08 — 👍 4    🔁 2    💬 1    📌 0
Post image

Improved legislation & measures to tackle racism are needed & important but we must also focus on moving beyond “emotional solidarity” to deliver more “practical & strategic solidarity” with people of colour - says Dr Nazia Latif @CFNIreland Building Solidarity conference

30.01.2025 11:00 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Join Our Team
We are hiring an Administrator & Events Coordinator. 

For full job details, visit:
socialchangeinitiative.com/vacancies

Join Our Team We are hiring an Administrator & Events Coordinator. For full job details, visit: socialchangeinitiative.com/vacancies

We are hiring an Administrator & Events Coordinator.

For full job details, visit 👉http://socialchangeinitiative.com/vacancies

28.01.2025 12:47 — 👍 2    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0

Take a look at this new useful report from @pivotalppf.bsky.social on the work of the Northern Ireland Government. Great assessment of the progress made since restoration & the areas where action is still very much needed.

27.01.2025 16:54 — 👍 1    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

Join Our Team
We are hiring an Administrator & Events Coordinator. 

For full job details, visit:
socialchangeinitiative.com/vacancies

Join Our Team We are hiring an Administrator & Events Coordinator. For full job details, visit: socialchangeinitiative.com/vacancies

We are hiring an Administrator & Events Coordinator.

For full job details, visit 👉socialchangeinitiative.com/vacancies

22.01.2025 18:39 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Children’s Law Centre CEO - Engage Executive Talent Who we are: Founded on the principles laid down in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), we were established in 1997 to provide legal advice to children and young people. We have since...


Great job opportunity to lead @ChildLawCentre, championing the rights of children. Very big shoes to fill at one of Northern Ireland’s most effective change making organisations. Please spread the word. Https://engageexec.co.uk/childrens-law-centre-ceo/

08.01.2025 22:12 — 👍 5    🔁 6    💬 0    📌 1
Post image

The unfinished business of realising women's rights. Despite these structural obstacles, women and girls are driving change. Today's Mail on Sunday features some extraordinary women ActionAidworks with @actionaidie.bsky.social

05.01.2025 08:30 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Elaine Loughlin: In forming a government, the main parties must not stray towards the parish pump From housing to health, there is a lengthy list of issues the public need to see progress on before the parochial bartering of local allocations and ministerial positions in talks with Independent TDs

The Occupied Territories Bill must be a priority for the new government and not be watered down
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...

28.12.2024 10:10 — 👍 4    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
For Our Family Human
YouTube video by Smiley News For Our Family Human

As we come towards the end of the year take a look at this excellent little video on the power of the Universal Declaration. Important to be reminded of what it says.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=pEYp...

19.12.2024 14:26 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

@mobrienbelfast is following 20 prominent accounts